802.11aq Channels ====================== .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are channels in 802.11aq?** 802.11aq does *not* define new wireless channels. It uses existing Wi‑Fi channels (same PHY) and works above the physical layer for service discovery. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How many channels are available in 802.11aq?** No additional or special channels are introduced by 802.11aq — channel availability is the same as the underlying 802.11 standard in use in that network. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is a frequency band in wireless communication in context of 802.11aq?** Same as any other 802.11 standard: a frequency band is the actual RF band used by the PHY (e.g. 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) — 802.11aq works over whatever bands the AP supports, it doesn’t change PHY operation. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Which frequency band does 802.11aq operate in?** It operates in whatever band the WLAN uses. There’s no separate band for 11aq; it overlays on the standard WLAN frequency (e.g. 2.4/5/6 GHz). .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are UNII bands in 802.11aq?** UNII bands are still relevant since 802.11aq uses standard WLAN channels. It doesn’t alter which UNII bands are used; it simply adds additional service‑information in beacons and management frames. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are UNII‑1, UNII‑2, and UNII‑3 bands for 802.11aq?** Same as standard WLAN: those are regulatory subdivisions of the 5 GHz unlicensed bands. 802.11aq doesn’t change their definitions or use rules. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is channel width in 802.11aq?** Channel width is determined by the underlying WLAN standard (e.g. 20/40/80/160 MHz in 802.11ac/ax) — 802.11aq does *not* define or mandate channel widths. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Why does 802.11aq use certain channel widths?** It doesn’t pick channel widths; it inherits whatever the network’s PHY supports. Its job is advertising services, not changing RF parameters. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Are 802.11aq channels overlapping?** Overlaps are a function of the underlying WLAN standard and channel assignment. 802.11aq doesn't affect channel overlap — it uses whatever channels are configured. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What determines the number of usable channels?** Local regulatory domain, available spectrum, and the WLAN standard in use (802.11a/n/ac/ax/…) determine usable channels. 802.11aq does not alter that. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **What is Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)?** DFS is still required as per the PHY standard if operating in DFS‑required UNII bands. 802.11aq doesn’t override DFS; it builds on top of existing WLAN PHY behavior. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **What is Transmit Power Control (TPC)?** TPC likewise remains governed by underlying PHY / regulatory rules. 802.11aq does not change power control policies. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **Can 802.11aq use 40 MHz or 80 MHz channels?** Yes — if the underlying WLAN standard being used supports 40/80 MHz channels. 11aq itself doesn’t define channel width, so it works over whatever channel widths are in use. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **Why is channel planning important in 802.11aq?** Because channel planning (selecting which RF channel, width, avoiding interference) still affects how well service discovery works (beacon transmission, management frames). If channels are congested, clients may miss service info. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **Are all WLAN channels available globally for 802.11aq?** No — it depends on regional regulatory policies, just like all other WLAN standards. 11aq doesn’t change that. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **Can devices auto‑select 802.11aq channels?** Channel selection is handled by underlying WLAN hardware/software; 11aq doesn’t introduce a new channel selection scheme. Devices that support auto channel selection will include service discovery frames in their broadcast regardless. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **How do clients know which channel to use?** Clients scan available channels (same way as normal WLAN scanning) and look for beacons or probe responses; with 802.11aq they also check service discovery elements in those management frames. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **What is the channel center frequency?** Same as for regular WLAN channels — center frequency defined by the standard (e.g. 5.180 GHz etc). 802.11aq doesn’t define new center freqs. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **How are 802.11aq channels numbered?** They are numbered the same way as the underlying 802.11 standard in operation — 11aq doesn’t define channel numbering. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **What are the typical channel numbers for 802.11aq?** Exactly the same typical channel numbers as used in the network’s WLAN standard (for example channels 36, 40, 44, etc. in 5 GHz). .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **How far apart are WLAN channels spaced in 802.11aq?** Channel spacing is determined by the PHY standard (e.g. 20 MHz spacing etc). 802.11aq does not modify channel spacing. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **What is co‑channel interference?** Interference that occurs when two APs / devices transmit over the same channel; this is independent of 802.11aq, which inherits interference issues of underlying WLAN. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **How can co‑channel interference be avoided in 802.11aq?** Use good channel planning, avoid congested channels, use non‑overlapping channels etc, just like with any WLAN deployment. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **Does weather affect WLAN channel performance (in 11aq)?** Yes in the sense that the underlying RF behavior (path loss, attenuation) is still subject to weather / obstacles, but 11aq doesn’t add extra sensitivity beyond what the PHY already has. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **Why is 5 GHz considered less congested than 2.4 GHz (in context of 11aq)?** Same reasoning as in other WLANs: more spectrum, more non‑overlapping channels, fewer interfering devices. 11aq benefits from that since it uses the same channels. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **What is the typical range of WLAN channels (in 11aq)?** Same as underlying WLAN: in 5 GHz perhaps ~30‑50 m indoors, etc. 11aq doesn’t increase range. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **Can WLAN channels be used outdoors (for 11aq)?** Yes, if the standard allows outdoor operation in that band and region. 11aq doesn’t change channel outdoor use permissions. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **What happens if two APs use the same channel (in 11aq)?** Service discovery frames may collide or be delayed, but basic transmission behavior is same as standard WLAN. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col‑lg‑12 p‑2 :card: shadow **What tools help with 802.11aq channel planning?** The same tools used for WLAN planning: spectrum analyzers, Wi‑Fi scanners/site‑survey tools, and monitoring tools that can show beacon/service discovery frame visibility. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow Topics in this section, * :ref:`List of channels ` * :ref:`List of channel widths ` * :ref:`List of Bands ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. _channels_aq_step4: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 2.4 GHz Channels for 802.11aq ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== Channel Number (MHz) Center Frequency (MHz) Frequency Range DFS Required ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== 1 2412 2401 – 2423 No 2 2417 2406 – 2428 No 3 2422 2411 – 2433 No 4 2427 2416 – 2438 No 5 2432 2421 – 2443 No 6 2437 2426 – 2448 No 7 2442 2431 – 2453 No 8 2447 2436 – 2458 No 9 2452 2441 – 2463 No 10 2457 2446 – 2468 No 11 2462 2451 – 2473 No 12 2467 2456 – 2478 No (region dependent) 13 2472 2461 – 2483 No (region dependent) 14 2484 2473 – 2495 No (Japan only) ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== .. tab-item:: 5 GHz Channels for 802.11aq ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== Channel Number (MHz) Center Frequency (MHz) Frequency Range DFS Required ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== 36 5180 5170 – 5190 No 40 5200 5190 – 5210 No 44 5220 5210 – 5230 No 48 5240 5230 – 5250 No 52 5260 5250 – 5270 Yes 56 5280 5270 – 5290 Yes 60 5300 5290 – 5310 Yes 64 5320 5310 – 5330 Yes 100 5500 5490 – 5510 Yes 104 5520 5510 – 5530 Yes 108 5540 5530 – 5550 Yes 112 5560 5550 – 5570 Yes 116 5580 5570 – 5590 Yes 120 5600 5590 – 5610 Yes 124 5620 5610 – 5630 Yes 128 5640 5630 – 5650 Yes 132 5660 5650 – 5670 Yes 136 5680 5670 – 5690 Yes 140 5700 5690 – 5710 Yes 144 5720 5710 – 5730 Yes 149 5745 5735 – 5755 No 153 5765 5755 – 5775 No 157 5785 5775 – 5795 No 161 5805 5795 – 5815 No 165 5825 5815 – 5835 No ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== .. _channels_aq_step5: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: List of channel widths * channel widths .. _channels_aq_step6: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: List of Bands ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ Band Name Frequency Range (GHz) Frequency Range (MHz) Channels ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ 2.4 GHz Band 2.400 – 2.485 2400 – 2485 1 – 14 (region dependent) UNII-1 5.150 – 5.250 5150 – 5250 36, 40, 44, 48 UNII-2 (DFS) 5.250 – 5.350 5250 – 5350 52, 56, 60, 64 UNII-2 Extended (DFS) 5.470 – 5.725 5470 – 5725 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144 UNII-3 5.725 – 5.825 5725 – 5825 149, 153, 157, 161, 165 ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ .. _channels_aq_step17: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Reference links * Reference links